My dear BYU–Hawaii ohana, Aloha mai kakou. I am so grateful for our wonderful singers that was an incredible musical number. I really appreciate that and I am grateful for Monica and for her testimony and for her love for you. I share that love for you.
You might have been surprised to see a change in the devotional schedule and to see that Monica and I would be addressing you so soon. Sadly, our beloved Laie Hawaii Temple Matron, Sister Casey, was scheduled to speak with her husband today but she sustained a serious injury recently. We are grateful she is at home healing, and invite you to remember her, President Casey, and their family in your prayers. With the last-minute change, Monica and I felt prompted to address you again, and we are grateful for this opportunity. Now as busy as life can be, this last-minute assignment brought with it some fear and anxiety, and perhaps not just coincidentally, that is what I have felt inspired to talk to you about today.
We all feel fear
Anxiety, doubt, and fear are normal parts of life. Everyone experiences these feelings. They can be healthy as they help protect us from danger. These feelings can also guide us in understanding and properly limiting physical and emotional pain.
These feelings of fear, anxiety, and self-doubt appear frequently in the holy scriptures. Often, we read about these feelings expressed by influential and honored servants of the Lord. Let’s take a moment and reflect on some of these passages.
Consider Moses, who, when called to lead Israel, feared his own weaknesses and said:
“…O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” [1]
Or Moroni, who worried that he and the other prophets were not skilled enough in writing and said to the Lord, “Lord, the Gentiles will mock at these things, because of our weakness in writing…” [2]
The Apostle Paul who felt insecure about his preaching said, “And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.” [3]
Consider a few more recent examples. President David O. McKay, who will always be special to us here at BYU–Hawaii, recorded in his journal when called to the First Presidency: “I feel weak, even to the point of trembling, under the thought of what I am expected to do. Oh, Father, be thou near me, and direct me in every act that I may not fail to do Thy will.” [4]
Sister Patricia Holland, speaking to students as the First Lady of BYU, expressed her own struggles with self-doubt, saying:
“When I was your age (and sometimes even now), there was often a struggle over how I saw myself. I was very ‘skilled’ in the art of pummeling myself.” [5]
Consider Nephi, Enos, Abish, Esther, Peter, Jonah, Joseph Smith, Gordon B. Hinckley, they all express similar sentiments…I could go on and on. Is that enough to make my point? Even the very best of us feel inadequate at times. We all experience fear and anxiety. We all have moments when we struggle over how we see ourselves.
Freedom from Fear
However anxiety and fear can cripple you. They can halt your progression and prevent you from fully engaging in life. They can stop you from tackling the very challenges that you are here on earth to experience. As Mordecai said to Esther, “who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”. [6]
Fear reduces our motivation and efforts, which leads to subpar performance when faced with challenges and opportunities. This creates a feedback loop of more fear, less effort, and more failure. This cycle causes you to shy away from challenges and opportunities, causing you to live far below your potential and privileges. We must avoid this cycle and must break out if we find ourselves getting caught up in it.
Remembering who we are and who is by our side can be a powerful way to do that. Elder Brook P. Hales said, “Despite the challenges we all face, our loving Heavenly Father has designed the plan of happiness such that we are not destined to fail. … Because this life is a testing ground and ‘dark clouds of trouble hang o’er us and threaten our peace to destroy,’ it is helpful to remember this counsel and promise found in Mosiah 23 relating to life’s challenges: ‘Nevertheless—whosoever putteth his trust in [the Lord] the same shall be lifted up at the last day.’” [7]
While we strive to live with freedom from fear, we will encounter very real and difficult times in our lives. President Henry B. Eyring shared the wise words of his mother when he would complain about his struggles: “Oh, Hal, of course it’s hard. It’s supposed to be. Life is a test.” [8]
And she was right. She is still right. So, how can you navigate this life effectively? A member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared this,
“On a daily basis we witness widely fluctuating inflation; wars; interpersonal conflicts; national disasters; variances in weather conditions; innumerable forces of immorality, crime, and violence; attacks and pressures on the family and individuals; technological advances that make occupations obsolete; and so on.”
What year do you think this quote is from? 2025? 2005? No, Elder L. Tom Perry shared this in 1995! Several decades ago! These challenges sound awfully similar to what we face today. He continued:
“The need for preparation is abundantly clear. The great blessing of being prepared gives us freedom from fear, as guaranteed to us by the Lord in the Doctrine and Covenants: ‘If ye are prepared ye shall not fear’ (Doctrine and Covenants 38:30).” [9]
Preparation and Fear
Let’s talk about some practical advice on how we can obtain this “freedom from fear.”
First, as Elder Perry pointed out, “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.”
Preparation creates confidence in facing both challenges and opportunities, even fueling a desire to seek new ones. We see this principle in both gospel teachings and in the world.
A famous performer, Taylor Swift has shared insights on how preparation influences her confidence and addresses nervousness before performances. She remarked, “I try to prepare for everything beyond the extent of preparation.” [10] You can try to figure out what that means.
A quarterback in the National Football League stated, “For me, it’s always been about preparation, and the more prepared I can be each week, the less pressure I feel and the more confident I am.” [11]
An NBA basketball player said, “Confidence comes from preparation. When the game is on the line, I’m not nervous because I’ve put in the work.” [12]
An Olympic gold medalist wrestler said, “My confidence comes from my preparation.” [13]
This is a silly example but humor me: when I was in graduate school, we had a group of friends who played flag football every Saturday. We had some great athletes on that field, and the competition was often fierce. One winter, my friend and I decided to train every day and be ready to “shock” our buddies with our increased speed and athleticism. Several times a week, we met to run sprints, perform plyometrics, and practice other drills. After months of preparation, our excitement to play was built up. And it paid off! My friend had a “rival” on the other team. They lined up against each other, and it was so fun to see the surprise on the rival’s face when my friend blew past him with shocking speed!
Have you ever prepared so well for something that you were actually excited about it instead of feeling fear or anxiety?
Let’s consider some situations you might be facing in life and how preparation could impact them. Have you ever been so prepared for an exam that you wanted to go take it? I promise, that is possible. It can be done. And the feeling is fantastic. I don't think I ever felt it till I was in graduate school but it is a fantastic feeling. So, you should try it sometime! Or all the time!
How about graduation? With proper preparation, your graduation will be a joyful day where you are excited about your professional and personal future living and leading in the Pacific and Asia.
What about giving a talk in sacrament meeting or presenting at an academic conference in your area of study? The first time I gave a talk at a major Alzheimer’s disease conference, I was in the first year of graduate school. It was the American Society of Human Genetics meetings, attended by over 10,000 scientists. My talk didn't have that many attendees. But I was terrified. I managed my fear with preparation. I prayed for guidance on how to prepare, and for the ability to do my very best work. I carefully made slides, wrote a word-for-word script for each slide, shared it with my Ph.D. advisor, and made edits. Then, I practiced it over and over. In the mirror. To the people in my research lab. And to Monica. Poor, kind Monica. I vividly remember plugging the computer into the TV in our little apartment in Saint Louis and giving my talk…over and over. Monica must have listen to it at least 10 times, and maybe even 20 times. When the moment to speak came, I was still nervous but not scared. I knew I had prepared and trusted the preparation. It went soooo well!
Monica has previously shared with you that she faces significant fear when speaking in front of groups. Her preparation is extensive. She prayerfully spends hours writing each devotional talk and practices delivering each devotional talk at least 10 times, perhaps many more than that. And I have seen her develop freedom from her fear through this careful and thoughtful preparation.
Remember the counsel of Alma to his son Helaman, “Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good.” [14] Prayer must be the first step in your preparations for each day, for each task, and for each challenge or for each opportunity.
Preparation is the foundation for confidence and for excellence.
Preparation, confidence, and excellence are the components of a powerful positive feedback loop. Preparation leads to increased confidence. Increased confidence leads to excellence in the face of challenges and in moments of opportunity. Excellence leads to an increased desire for preparation in the future. This cycle, once it’s in motion, creates momentum that is simply too powerful for fear to have a meaningful influence.
Freedom from fear through prayerful preparation changes daunting obstacles into exhilarating opportunities.
So, what happens when we prepare carefully but still fall short of our goals or the ideal outcome we had in our minds? Do not let an imperfect outcome amplify your fear. Remember, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” [15]
Take that to heart! Instead of fear, use that spirit of love to love yourself, even in your weaknesses. Use the spirit of a sound mind to view your shortcomings candidly and use them as an opportunity to learn and make adjustments. Then, use the spirit of power to try again and again and again. That is the path to excellence!
Now, all of this also applies to dating! You knew we were going to get to that, right? Monica reminded you last April that personal preparation is the foundation for dating and marriage. As you improve your personal preparation—spiritually, emotionally, and physically—you will obtain freedom from the fear you might feel about the important effort to find someone and participate in the sealing ordinance. Do not let fear stop you from finding an eternal companion and being sealed in the temple. Participating in this ordinance and honoring your spouse and children should be and remain a priority in your life.
Whether you are worried about dating, school, or other challenges, I testify to you that Jesus Christ’s words are true, and that “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” [16]
Covenant Preparation
Each of you is a beloved child of God, a child of the covenant, and a disciple of Jesus Christ. Your covenants give you a special relationship with God and Christ and will bring you great support and comfort in this life.
President Russell M. Nelson teaches that: “Once we make a covenant with God, we leave neutral ground forever. God will not abandon His relationship with those who have forged such a bond with Him. In fact, all those who have made a covenant with God have access to a special kind of love and mercy.” [17]
He also reminds us that:
“The reward for keeping covenants with God is heavenly power—power that strengthens us to withstand our trials, temptations, and heartaches better.” [18]
And that:
“Entering into a covenant relationship with God binds us to Him in a way that makes everything about life easier.” [19]
Then-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said:
“As His covenant people, we need not be paralyzed by fear because bad things might happen. Instead, we can move forward with faith, courage, determination, and trust in God as we approach the challenges and opportunities ahead. We do not walk the path of discipleship alone. ‘The Lord thy God … doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.’” [20]
The Lord will not fail you; He will not forsake you. I want to remind you that part of the power, love, and mercy extended to you is your status as a student at BYU–Hawaii. There are many special blessings here, including medical and counseling professionals that can help you carefully evaluate the fear, anxiety, and self-doubt in your life, understand them better, implement proven strategies to manage them, and begin health interventions that can support you. Do not forget that these resources are part of what God has blessed you with to help you find freedom from fear and excel in your life.
In closing, let’s review two recent prophetic promises that President Nelson has shared.
First, “My dear brothers and sisters, here is my promise. Nothing will help you more to hold fast to the iron rod than worshipping in the temple as regularly as your circumstances permit. Nothing will protect you more as you encounter the world’s mists of darkness. Nothing will bolster your testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement or help you understand God’s magnificent plan more. Nothing will soothe your spirit more during times of pain. Nothing will open the heavens more. Nothing!” [21]
Now, our “circumstances” here at BYU–Hawaii are very favorable. It takes 238 steps to get from the edge of campus to the temple recommend desk! If you are little bit shorter than me, round that up to 250 to 260 but it's not far and it's an incredible blessing. I am so grateful for the effort that I see each of you making to worship and to serve as ordinance workers in the Laie Hawaii Temple. I invite you to sustain those efforts if you are doing well and to elevate your efforts if there is room to improve. I testify to you that this promise from President Nelson is true.
And second, some words from President Nelson that I have shared with you many times. They are worth hearing again and this won't be the last time.
He said to you, “My dear young friends, I love you. I thank you. I believe in you. As the Lord’s prophet, I bless you to know the truth about who you are and to treasure the truth about what your glorious potential really is. I bless you to take charge of your own testimony. And I bless you to have the desire and strength to keep your covenants.
As you do, I promise that you will experience spiritual growth, freedom from fear, and a confidence that you can scarcely imagine now. You will have the strength to have a positive influence far beyond your natural capacity. And I promise that your future will be more exhilarating than anything you can presently believe.” [22]
Please, please, please, test this promise. I know it is true. The Lord will bless you with spiritual growth, freedom from fear, confidence, power to bless the lives of others, and a future that is truly exhilarating. He has blessed you already, through all the challenges you have faced, to be here at BYU–Hawaii. Here, you are part of a community that isn’t perfect but is striving to be. We love you. You belong here with us. And we believe in you.
I close with my simple testimony that the prophets of the Restoration, from Joseph Smith to David O. McKay, to Russell M. Nelson, are true prophets of God. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led through them, by Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ lived for us, died for us, and was resurrected for us. His Resurrection was the joyful announcement to all the world and all generations that we can be free of sin and death through Him. I love each of you, and I work and pray for your continued success and joy.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
NOTES:
[1] Exodus 4:10
[2] Ether 12:23
[3] 1 Corinthians 2:3
[4] Gregory Prince, “David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism,” The University of Utah Press, March 2005.
[5] Patricia T. Holland, “Be Renewed in the Spirit of your Mind”[Brigham Young University devotional, September 6, 1988], speeches.byu.edu
[6] Esther 4:14
[7] Brook P. Hales, “Mortality Works!,” Ensign or Liahona, October 2024, 84
[8] Henry B. Eyring, “Tested, Proved, and Polished,” Ensign or Liahona, October 2020, 96
[9] L. Tom Perry, “If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear,” Ensign or Liahona, October 1995, 36
[10] Taylor Swift, brainyquote.com
[11] Aaron Rodgers, bainyquote.com
[12] “Kobe Bryant | Confidence Comes from Preparation”, A Coach’s Diary, YouTube [Video], September 26, 2023
[13] Jordan Burroughs, “It Never Gets Easier, You Just Get Better”, Blog, December 28, 2015
[14] Alma 37:37
[15] 2 Timothy 1:7
[16] Doctrine and Covenants 38:30
[17] “The Everlasting Covenant” [digital-only article] Liahona, October 2022, Gospel Library
[18] Russell M. Nelson, “Overcome the World and Find Rest,” Ensign or Liahona, October 2022, 96
[19] Russell M. Nelson, “Overcome the World and Find Rest,” Ensign or Liahona, October 2022, 97
[20] Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear,” Ensign or Liahona, April 2017, 106
[21] Russell M. Nelson, “Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys,” Ensign or Liahona, April 2024, 122
[22] Russell M. Nelson, “Choices for Eternity,” [worldwide devotional for young adults, May 15, 2022], Gospel Library